State Govt to oppose AICTE decision

THE STATE Cabinet today decided to oppose strongly what it called the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE)’s unilateral decision to give nod to the new technical education institutes without seeking concurrence of the State Governments.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav chaired the meeting of the State Cabinet at his Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan Annexe office here today. “This is against the spirit of the federal structure,” said Chief Secretary NC Bajpai, briefing media persons about decisions of the State Cabinet. “The AICTE so far always sought a ‘no-objection certificate’ from the State Government to allow setting up of new technical institute,” said Bajpai, adding the State Cabinet had expressed its serious concern over the issue.

“This is not acceptable to the State Government,” he said adding the State Cabinet decided to send a strong letter of protest to the Centre, said Bajpai. He added that the AICTE decision had been communicated to the State Government in May. The State Cabinet had also decided to clear all the proposals that have been pending with the Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) for affiliation, he said.

The State Cabinet also decided not to allow more than four technical education institutes in any district.

He said, no exemption in stamp duty would be granted on purchase of land if four technical institutes already existed there.

The State Cabinet also decided to adopt the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors to replace ‘tehbazari’ system that the State Government had abolished recently. Under the provisions of National Policy on Urban Street Vendors the State Government would ensure participation of vendors through the Town Vendor Committees.

As per the decision, vending zones would be formed under the Nagar Nigam, Nagar Panchayat or the town areas and vendors would be issued a license.

Vendors would be allowed to make a nomination to pass on the license to their dependents. Besides giving 25 per cent to 40 per cent representation to vendors the representatives of local lead bank would also be included in the Town Vendor Committees to provide social security network to the vendors.

Meanwhile, the State Government has issued orders to grant concessions to attract private investment in the higher education sector. According to an official Press release, concession would be available for universities, deemed universities and other national level institutions. The concession in the stamp duty on the registration would however be granted only if the cost of machines and equipment to be installed exceeded Rs 10 crore. This amount would not include cost of land.